Wine & BBQ

The area between Austin and Fredericksburg is the Texas wine country, second to California in number of wineries, though most of their grapes are California grown.

We decided to test their fare.

 First we went to Mendelbaum Cellars, a name that caught our eyes.  The owner, Nitzan, is an Israeli who imports his grapes from the wonderful wine regions of Israel.  He settled here because of the supportive attitude the locals have for Israel.  We enjoyed his wine and also his motto Our Wine Is-raeli Good.

Next we stopped at Grape Creek Vineyards.  They also have delicious wines which are made from grapes grown in Lodi, Mendocino, and Lake County, all CA wine regions.

Returning to the RV, we hunkered down awaiting the downpour of rain that continued all the next day.  Oh how we wish we could send some home. 

Nitzan gave us a DVD of the Israeli wine industry and it was an informative diversion on this rainy day.  It juxtaposes the biblical history of wine making with the growth of the modern wine industry in Israel.  It did a good job extolling Israeli viticulture, with a plug for UC Davis vintners.

After being inside all day, we were glad to get out and head to the LBJ State Park for Barbeque on the Pedernales, a fundraiser put on by supporters of the park.

 This was the first time we were greeted by “dinner.”

 We parked on what was the runway.

 About five hundred hungry people, many with traditional Texas head covering,  gathered under a giant tent to imbibe of wine, chicken, brisket, spare ribs, cole slaw, beans and potatoes.

 Dessert was a choice of peach or raspberry cobbler.  Like most of the people, we chose both.

 Even the table decorations kept up the LBJ theme.

This BBQ originally started as a tribute to soldiers from nearby Ft. Hood and two dozen soldiers joined in the dinner tonight.  This was also a fund raiser.  Luci Baines Johnson challenged the audience to demonstrate her dad’s “can do” attitude and bid high on the auction.  A stay at the LBJ guest house, a longhorn calf, a two-day stay in Dallas, etc. brought in about $25,000.  

We enjoyed being spectators at this fun event.